‘Felt ashamed to step out’: Nishu Azad after Delhi Police assures Swatantra Bharadwaj’s arrest within 72 hours

New Delhi: Nishu Azad, the minor whose father was allegedly assaulted during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar, said on Friday that she was “ashamed” to step out of her house and had not attended school for weeks, due to “rape threats” from those supporting the accused.

The minor’s remarks came after the Delhi Police assured to arrest the accused, Swatantra Bharadwaj, under sections of POCSO, SC/ST Act and attempt to murder, within 72 hours, following an agitation by the CJP outside the Parliament Street Police Station in New Delhi.

The protest was also joined by Azad Samaj Party Chief and MP Chandrashekhar Azad, Purnia MP Pappu Yadav and the Indian Youth Congress.

Speaking to reporters, Nishu Azad said: “For so many days, the people who support them were abusing me and issuing rape threats against me. I have got an FIR lodged against them… I hope the police will now take action so that I don’t have to endure all this anymore.”

“The way these people were abusing me, giving rape threats, and making vulgar stickers of me, I was feeling ashamed even to step out of my house. Because of this incident, I didn’t go to school for two to three weeks. And when I go now, I feel like everyone is judging me,” she added.

The minor girl added that the police had been “unresponsive” so far but have now finally reacted to the complaint.

A controversy erupted after the accused, Swatantra Bharadwaj, in a purported viral video, allegedly claimed to have assaulted the father of the student protester during the demonstration at Jantar Mantar and boasted that he was let off by the Delhi Police as he has “political connections”.

Earlier on Friday, Azad Samaj Party chief Chandrashekhar Azad said: “Sanjay (the victim who was assaulted) and his daughter are constantly receiving threats of rape, acid attacks, and murder—they are living in fear. If this is the condition in the country’s capital, you can imagine what the situation must be in rural areas.”

“If the arrests are not made as promised, we will undertake a ‘gherao’ of the Police Commissioner’s office and if required of the Home Ministry as well,” he added.

CJP Co-convener Saurav Das said that they have faith on the Delhi Police that it will fulfill its commitment.

“The goons will not be allowed to roam freely like this,” he told reporters.

IANS